MSP’s skinny mannequin ban ‘has industry support’

A politician campaigning for retailers to ditch skinny mannequins and use larger sizes has claimed support from within the industry.

MSP Dennis Robertson says his campaign to ban skinny mannequins has industry support. Picture: Jane Barlow

Dennis Robertson wants a “more realistic” reflection of customers than the usual size eight or 10 dummies.

The SNP backbencher, whose daughter Caroline died in 2011 following a five-year struggle against anorexia, has been campaigning for more to be done to tackle eating disorders.

Since leading a debate on the issue at Holyrood last week, he said he was inundated with messages of support, including from the fashion industry.

In a statement released by the SNP, Mal Burkinshaw, programme director of fashion at Edinburgh College of Art, said: “We are currently working on a live project directly with H&M on size diversity, and are delighted to see body image on the agenda within the Scottish Parliament.”

Isla Rafferty, managing director of Superior Model Management in Glasgow, said: “I truly believe larger mannequins on the Scottish high street is a positive step in showing women that it is OK to be their natural size. Retailers need to cater for the whole of the population, not just one size, everyone is different.”

Debenhams has already pledged to use larger mannequins across its British stores.

Mr Robertson, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, said he is greatly encouraged.

“This is only the start. More support will be gathered and change will come. The next step I hope is for the Scottish Retail Consortium to give a definitive and clear message of support and issue their members with guidelines and advice on having a range of model sizes,” he said.